| Author | Message | ||
     Desertguy |
1991 Buell Westwind on eBaY...looks like it would make someone a fine investment. | ||
| 01x1buell |
well where is the link??/ i want to see | ||
| Buell_bert |
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Buell-Westwind-91-B uell-Westwind-RS1200-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem2 a126afdd7QQitemZ180697628119QQptZUSQ5fmotorcycles | ||
| 01x1buell |
••••••• nice bike , i wpould love that. | ||
| Weatherbyman |
Just like an unused weapon.... an unused weapon is a useless weapon... i would buy this and ride the piss out of it! Not meant to be purchased and put away. ride it like ya stole it!  | ||
| Smoker |
3600 miles in 20 years... such a shame. | ||
| Leftcoastal |
That bike has been in the local LA craigslist for a while. Looks pretty pristine in the photos. If anyone on here is actually interested, I might be cajoled into fighting my way over to the west side to ogle and report back. Al | ||
| Psyclown |
Holy Sh!t Al is that thing supercharged? Well done sir. | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
The auction has been pulled off Ebay. I wonder what happened? | ||
| Desertguy |
Joe I don't think it was pulled; it timed out. Seems this would be/is a highly desirable motorcycle and I am surprised no one bid. However, a true auction starts at a low opening bid, generates excitement along the course of its run, and finally gets bidders in competition with each other, consequently running up the final value price. This is the level indicating an item's worth. (Whatever someone will pay for it). | ||
| Vecchio_lupo |
I was surprised because I sent the link to a friend in Afghanistan who has been actively looking for a Westwind. I thought wow, here is your chance, pony up some cash and make your dreams come true. He emailed me back saying the add had been removed. I checked and this was the Ebay posting "This listing () has been removed, or this item is not available." that could easily be timed out or just pulled for a private buyer. Of course anything is possible. | ||
| Murgatroid |
The bike has been bought by a certain donkey, and a fellow badwebber. http://www.badweatherbikers.com/buell/messages/21/ 644473.html?1311740775 | ||
| 01x1buell |
lucky sob. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Thank you. Yes, I was lucky but, truly would have been ok if somebody else had nabbed it and preserved it. I inspected the bike the last day of the auction. I decided to let fate decide: let the auction run its course and kinda' hoped it would sell. Nobody stepped up so I bought it. I just got it home a few hours ago. I'll have lots of questions I'm sure. The intent is to keep this bike as original and clean as possible. Sorry to upset some on here (I'm sure it's a very good motorcycle) but, it will get ridden only a few times a year. If there isn't an interested and deserving gathering, it's not getting ridden (vintage bike meets, etc). There are three other Buells here to ride on lesser occasions. BTW: this is one of the fifteen 1991 'kit bikes' sold in California. It has all the paperwork from Glendale Harley Davidson, including the dealer license frame and plate-card. It's a fun time-capsule of a bike. A Westwind was a dream exotic that was simply outside my reach when it was introduced. I watched this bike from a year ago when it was on Craigslist and wished I could afford it. Price and time eventually met today. I think the owner is glad that it was bought by somebody who appreciates it and will preserve it. Thank you to this forum and to the Canfield/Gess book for edjumicating me well in advance. I knew everything to look for, including the Gambler rear caliper, the bicycle shifter choke (mine's a Superbe brand--I guess supplies hadn't dried up yet in 1991), the one-piece fairing, and the long, gangly footpegs that the first owner thought were aftermarket parts installed during the dealer build. What exactly IS the accepted process for groveling at Court's feet and begging for factory information on this bike? | ||
| Charlies_s1 |
Just ask! I think he will be glad to help you. And that it went to someone that's really going to take care of it. With so few made I think your spot on by not riding it too much, living where we do and all. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
A local! And a man with a Nuke Blue/Orange S1 and white S1W. I wanted a Nuke Blue/Orange S1W but, ended up with silver/titanium. I scratched the ice-white itch with an S2 (came from Huntington Beach in fact). Yeah, piling miles on the Westwind is a balancing act. The current crop of solvent that passes for fuel in California is destroying the tank liner (as other have posted on here). The paint is so flawless that it's not worth risking external damage just to put a questionable coating on the inside of the tank. Right now, the plan is to put a big, clear filter to collect the flakes, fill it up for the occasional ride, then drain it and store it dry. A set of Pilot Power tires are on their way so I can actually try the bike out. I only heard it start once and sat on it for a few seconds the day I drove to look at it (as I reread that, I realize how crazy that sounds). It needs to be rideable ASAP because I'm expecting some questions from the DMV. It's titled as "Special Construction" and the VIN has nothing to do with the frame number. The engine number matches the title and in California, the engine is the motorcycle (not the frame). The actual assigned 'VIN' is a made-up number that isn't present anywhere on the bike (at least not that I've found). I'd like to at least get the frame number added to the title and that will probably require an inspection. And all of that is holding up the insurance: what VIN, make and model do I tell them? The frame number exists nowhere. The original tires have some cracks but are only about 50% worn. They'll get washed and stored. Being tubeless, they aren't worth the blowout risk...even to the DMV. Sorry about not sharing pics but, I'm having issues with my ISP and can't upload to the server right now. That should be fixed tomorrow. | ||
| Rich |
All those bikes were recalled for the tank liner flaking. If it were me, I'd clean it out as best I could and put some new liner in it. POR15 or whatever your preference is. | ||
| Court |
>>>the Gambler rear caliper Ahhhhh . . . the "original" recall . . the diaper pin. I pulled mine and still have the original, along with the "oops" letter from Erik. Times were certainly different then. Very cool. I like your idea of riding it from time to time. I rode the heck out of my first one and the guys, on my construction crews, knew paychecks were on the way when they heard it coming every Thursday. I used to take the bodywork off mine just to sit and look at it. The more you loook at it, the more amazing it is. Somewhere I've got a case of the magazines from that period, with all the owners manuals, parts manuals, service manuals (we should really finish the pictures someday) and left over parts and pieces. They really are cool. I'm not sure if the "kit bikes" fell under 568. I think not, I think they ended up actually being classified as a "home built". Regardless, there is a BOK there and we can help if you run into snags. I'll be eager to see pics and learn more about the bike . . . like I say . .the more you see these, the more amazing they get. Congratulations !
| ||
| Greg_cifu |
>>All those bikes were recalled for the tank liner flaking. Maybe so but, the gas cap was jammed (plastic retainer was warped and hanging in the hole) so I had to pull the bung last night. The exterior paint leads right to the interior lining under that cap. Any damage that gets done with MEK or acetone during cleaning will just start creeping under that paint job. THAT is what scares me the most. So far, this paint is perfect...I mean showroom new. I've waxed it at least three times. The stickers are perfect. I can't get that back if chemicals start leeching under it. I'm not saying I disagree but, I'm just not that desperate yet...mostly based on other people's marginal experiences on here, with the newer coatings. I'm all ears if one method has become the magic bullet for fiberglass tanks (got a Trackmaster Yamaha suffering the same woes). Court, thanks for joining in. Since you're here: 1B9RS11G5M21070KIT is the number on the frame. Would that be factory stamped or done by the dealer? Any chance that a build sheet or anything else still exists for this bike? I'm starting a folder. Diaper pin on the caliper? Yeah, that's how these pads are retained (spring-loaded locking clip?). I'll post a picture tonight. Are you suggesting the recalls weren't done? Who can I call to swap this shock for one of those nice Showas? Somebody is going to pay for this! | ||
| Court |
There is no recall on that shock . . . | ||
| Dannyd |
My 2002 RSS1200 CA kit bike sits in my office looking pretty. It has not been ridden n many years so don't feel bad. | ||
| Davegess |
That number would be what was stamped at Buell. The diaper pin is not, IMHO, a big deal. Just keep an eye on it. The dirt track guys ran with them but then they looked over the cars before each race so would notice a failure. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
It's OK, Court, if there WERE a recall on that shock, I wouldn't give it up. Hmmm...ISP is still giving me fits. The bulk of the pics will have to wait another day. What exactly WAS the (perceived) problem with the diaper pin? Shearing or just vibrating open and parting company from the bike? I apologize for the dirt. These pictures are an hour after picking it up, still strapped to the trailer.  Here's a stupid question: the red Dymo label on the rear master cylinder resevoir. Is that something the owner did, the dealer, or was that a factory thing they were supposed to remove after 'kit' assembly but before delivery to the customer? Also: did the chain (or other parts of the bike) get shipped in cosmoline? The chain has a fairly hard, waxy coating. After Gunk and a soft brush, it seems too hard and too clean to simply be old chain lube.  (Message edited by greg_cifu on August 04, 2011) | ||
| Charlies_s1 |
Greg, If you do plan to take this bike for a ride please let me know, OK as i would love to have a picture of it with my bike. If I were you (and i'm not) I would prep it as best I could and try to maintain the body work as you say they are in great shape. As much as it would be cool to put miles on it I would still remember this CANNOT be restored (tank). Once the tank gets screwed so to is the originality, Did I spell that right? I could only say one thing! Think this through. You now own a piece of history, And you already told us you own a couple of other Buell's. Ride them and maybe you could get another tank that would work for your rides,I'm not sayin, but just sayin. And that's all I have to say about that, LOL. Lets ride sometime highway 2? Halfway no? Chuck. Newcombs Ranch? | ||
| Court |
The red Dymo label was put on by an owner. When I get back to NYC next week I'll try to post the letter that came with the diaper pin. I get the greatest memories looking at those photos. Reminds me why Dave and I have white hair!!! | ||
| Rich |
My diaper pin wore a hole in the caliper, causing it to leak. When I replaced it(the caliper), I slid a small piece of rubber hose over it to keep it from repeating the damage. | ||
| Davegess |
There has to be a way to rig up some sort of bladder inside that tank so you actually ride the thing without having the fiberglass bubble. Your idea to drain the tank after each use may just work. Make sure to keep the gas cap off so all the fumes escape. I have not been involved in this whole bubbling issue so I really don't know, just guessing. | ||
| Greg_cifu |
Chuck, who am I kidding? It's got low miles but, it's not zero and it's not going to remain 3,607 for the rest of its life. I'm dying to ride it. If the tires show up and the checkout ride goes ok, this bike will make a showing at Newcomb's Ranch on Sunday. I'll have a better feel by Saturday. Rich, was vibration damage the main problem with the diaper pins? A squirt of RTV, or even hot glue, into the holes might secure it enough to protect the caliper and still keep it original. What did you do to fix yours? I don't see enough clearance to put hose in there. Edit: you mean the LOOP of the pin wore a hole in the side of the caliper? I hate to waste Badweb's server space but, until I can get my own hosting sorted out... You can see light corrosion haze on the WP fork caps. Those will be a challenge to get right without over-polishing. Overall, it's pretty clean.  This is the absolute worst spot on the whole bike: the right end of the axle and pinch bolts (why did ALL of my tubers have this exact corrosion?).  This was the second worst spot: notice the rust starting on the edge of the brake lever. I've already destroyed this portion of its undesireable patina (first night wash in the dark).   On the subject of patina: did these bikes come with mostly cadmium plated fasteners? I'm noticing cad's tell-tale yellowish hue on almost all of the hardware: caliper bolts, footpeg plates, the bodywork screws. It seems like an odd choice for the bodywork fasteners but, I don't want to over-restore them by polishing off the plating. (Message edited by greg_cifu on August 04, 2011) | ||
| Leftcoastal |
If you take it to Newcomb's on Sunday, how 'bout a heads-up as to approx. time you plan to be there. If I can slip away I'd like to ride up and ogle it. My RS (now in Texas) didn't look much like your stock unit. My profile has a pic. I'll have to ride one of the (spit) harley's up there, as I'm still 'between' Buells. Besides, I haven't been up the Crest since it re-opened. Warning - I heard that they wrote well over 100 speeding tickets to bike riders there last weekend! I'm thinking the speed limit has been "reconfigured" and is now at a heavily enforced 45. I'll probably ride the '70 FLH as that is close to it's top speed. Al | ||
| Moxnix |
A reproduction tank in carbon fiber fixes the problem, but not one's bank account. Don't know what Airtech charges, I'm pretty sure they have them in the catalog. |
